Reviews

Undoubted genuineness

16 March 2019

This picture is a photo dramatization of the famous play by George Broadhurst dealing with modern political corruption, and is the fourth of the William A. Brady features to be released by the World Film Corporation. That it will meet with the success of its original on the legitimate stage there can hardly be any doubt. Not only is the picture story equally forcible and true to life as the stage version, but the picture allows of many little bits of characterization and detail, necessarily omitted before the footlights, that greatly enhance the human heart interest of the story and bring before us most vividly the reality of the characters as human beings. The actors from Robert Warwick, who created the part and plays the central character in both play and photodrama, down to the sneak thief, butlers, aldermen and other supers, have made the most of their opportunity in a very intelligent and gratifying way and except on rare occasions make us forget that they are actors and actresses. Especially good are Ned Burton as the corrupt political boss, Eric Mayne as the unscrupulous financier and false friend, Alec B. Francis as the trusting and ruined father of the "man of the hour," and Belle Adair as the heroine. Mention should also be made of the two western characters: Chester Barrett as the hero's "pal" and Thomas Jackson as the sheriff. The exteriors are very well chosen and some of them are extremely beautiful. The interiors are also noteworthy for their fidelity to the atmosphere and tone of the story and especially remarkable are the convention hall where the man of the hour makes his campaign speech and the council room of the board of aldermen where the fight on the franchise bill is played. Political plays as a rule have on the screen a farcical element due to the fact that the settings in which they are played are manifestly unreal. The undoubted genuineness of the settings in "The Man of the Hour" eliminate this element and force home to the spectator in a most telling way the reality of what is being enacted. - Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

The salty flavor of the sea

16 March 2019

This four-part Pathe, drama to be released through Eclectic, has the two-fold merit of an excellent cast and most picturesque backgrounds. The scenes are laid in the fjord section of northern Europe and the salty flavor of the sea permeates the whole production. The splendid acting and beautiful rugged sea coast backgrounds make the picture one of real beauty. - Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Very well told

16 March 2019

A two-reel story, very well told of a man convicted of manslaughter in self-defense escapes from jail but later gives up his liberty in order to clear a young girl unjustly accused of theft. Of course she waits for him and everything ends happily. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

The story is not of notable strength

16 March 2019

This is a story made by the Regent company of England. It is in three parts. There is a war background, in which are shown men in battle, portraying British and French troops in conflict with Germans. The underlying action is the marriage of a trained nurse to a well-to-do good-for-nothing. The friends of the latter ridicule the nurse and otherwise comport themselves in a manner uncomplimentary to that division of a community known as Society. That the husband finally realizes his culpability and goes to the front does something to rehabilitate him in the opinion of the observer. Many men. are used in the battle scenes ; undoubtedly they are soldiers, not actors. The Americans may be more interested in the latter part of the frequently mentioned combination of king and country, inseparable though the two may be in the English mind. So, too, exhibitors may be chary of the title making reference to the annihilation of the Germans. The story is not of notable strength. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

This part fits Kerrigan admirably

16 March 2019

This is the first of a series of adventure stories featuring J. Warren Kerrigan as Terence O'Rourke, a soldier of fortune. These are adapted from stories by Louis Joseph Vance, by Jacques Jaccard, and each adventure is to be complete in itself, with a certain continuity of nterest. Some of the photography in the first reel is not up to standard, but is very good in the second. This part fits Kerrigan admirably and promises to be a successful offering judging by the first number. Vera Sisson plays the princess, who calls on Terence for aid on behalf of her brother, against whom she thinks there is a conspiracy. Future instalments should prove interesting. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

The fun is of the roughest sort

16 March 2019

A two-reel number introducing a new company for the first time in slapstick humor of an uproarious sort. Billy Ritchie and Henry Lehrmann make an immediate hit as a pair of flirtatious "ginks." The first scenes are taken in a park and the latter ones in a hospital. There are some screamingly funny things in this, but the fun is of the roughest sort such as squirting water from the mouth, kicking a woman in the stomach, tearing off a woman's dress and the like. There is no connected plot, but merely a series of rough-house scenes from start to finish. None of the scenes are impossible and this will no doubt prove successful before audiences that are not overly particular. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Peculiar in construction

16 March 2019

A two-reel story featuring Pauline Bush, William Dowlin and others. The girl's grandmother tells her the story of her mother's unfortunate marriage, how the father had deserted her and left her to die. Later the grandmother dies and the girl goes to seek her father. Before finding him she falls in love with the manager of a theatrical company, to whom she return later. This offering is peculiar in construction, and while not uninteresting contains much of a semi-morbid character. It lacks bright, attractive scenes and is brought to a very abrupt close. The acting and photography are good. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Well constructed and appealing

16 March 2019

A two-reel story beginning in the slum districts. Dan is a member of the Gopher gang and his sweetheart, Lola, is also of this social strata. She is injured in a police raid on a dance hall and taken to a hospital. The doctor and his wife become interested in her and take her to their home. From this point she and Dan take leave »f the old life and the girl saves the home from being robbed by the gang. This makes an entertaining story and leaves a good impression with the observer. It is well constructed and appealing. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

The camp setting is pleasing

16 March 2019

Another two-reel number featuring Robert Leonard as the Big Swede in a lumber camp. He first appears as a bully the terror of the camp. Later the girl, played by Ella Hall, appears. She slaps Olaf's face a few times, winning his love and respect at one and the same time. The girl's father turns out to be a criminal and is shot later in the picture. The camp setting is pleasing and this makes an entertaining out-of-door number. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Has a pathetic touch

16 March 2019

A two reel number by Ince and Clifford, full of the sunshine of California in the early mission days. The Don's daughter falls in love with an adventurer from Spain and deserts her lover to wed him. The lover is greatly, downcast and joins the monks. Later he saves the sacred chalice from the hands of the adventurer and his gang of bandits. The girl in the meantime rings the Angelus bells. An attractive production, somewhat resembling former offerings by this company. The close has a pathetic touch, as the original lovers cannot be reunited. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

A better ranch comedy than the average

16 March 2019

Imitations of Sherlock Holmes are becoming very numerous, but Shorty Hamilton manages to get some fun out of it in this two-reel number. The cowboys fake a robbery and in trying to trace this down Shorty discovers some real bandits and gets their loot, thus becoming the town hero. The photography is good and the story runs along in an entertaining manner. It makes altogether a better ranch comedy than the average. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Sincerely presented and appealing

16 March 2019

A two-reel drama based on a familiar theme, nicely pictured and well acted throughout. Carol Halloway doubles in the part of mother and daughter. First as a young girl she marries Enrico, the violinist, against her father's wishes. F. Sumner handles the leading role very creditably. He goes back to Italy and becomes famous, but years of separation ensue. He returns to America later as a street musician. His meeting with his daughter and subsequent regeneration is prettily developed. A sincerely presented and appealing story. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

The motives have become a trifle vague

16 March 2019

In this 12th episode of "The Trey O'Hearts" Judith is discovered riding across the desert tied lengthwise on Hopi's horse. Alan pursues her and Rose and Barcus later arrive on the scene. The desert views are picturesque and the trick horse does some interesting work. The motives animating the various characters have become a trifle vague and this is particularly noticeable in this instalment, though the interest is still maintained. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

A very attractive production as it stands

16 March 2019

A two-reel romance of the desert country, except for a few of the opening scenes which occur in the East. The hero sees Helen kiss Holden, his rival, in a darkened conservatory. He does not know she mistook Holden for himself and his rival allows the error to stand. Later in the West comes a readjustment of their lives, Holden sacrificing himself for their happiness. The desert scenes are beautifully pictured, but the characters gave no great illustration of the suffering they were supposed to undergo. More feeling in some of the scenes would have helped greatly. It is, however, a very attractive production as it stands. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Christy in a lot of intimate views

16 March 2019

This is the first of a series of two-reel pictures featuring the famous pitcher. Christy Matthewson. The numbers will each be complete and issued once a month for a year. This introduces Christy in a lot of intimate views, showing how he neglects business to play ball on a corner lot. Later he is seen getting his first try-out on the Polo grounds, New York. There is of course a love story thrown in. This series starts out appealingly and fans all over the country will greet Christy in the pictures with pleasure. This first number is a pleasing one. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

The story is well constructed

16 March 2019

An unusually live railroad story in two reels. Eugene Paulette and Francelia Billington play the leads and there is a clever little girl in the story, which is well photographed throughout. Paulette plays the part of a reformed hobo. Two of his old pals stir up a number of exciting conflicts, in which the hero protects the girl and the station from harm. The wreck of the two freight cars in the last reel is more realistic. The story is well constructed and has plenty of action. A good offering of its type. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

A good, clean story

16 March 2019

The story of a willful girl who dreams she takes her own way, gets betrayed and tries twice to commit suicide and wakes to find she has nearly broken her head in tumbling out of the hammock. A good, clean story with a moral and an element ot farce in it. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Sure to please

16 March 2019

A very pretty, well-constructed comedy-drama, that is sure to please. A woman, jealous of the perfectly innocent friendship between her husband and her sister, is rescued by that sister from a burning boat and all ends happily. Some of the swimming, diving and boating scenes are very beautiful. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

There are some laughs

16 March 2019

The action in this comedy is based on what happens to a young man in a dream, although we are unaware that it is not the real thing. Tom Powers is the player who, while chatting with a young woman, is deprived of his outer clothing and finds himself surrounded only by a small amount of underwear and a large number of people. When he makes his escape with a portiere about him he collides with a policeman. As he falls he wakes up. Later when he goes to the sure-enough party he finds himself sitting with the same young woman. His hilarity as he thinks of the dream causes the young woman to be a bit peevish. There are some laughs in this single - reel. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

A familiar idea in a new way

16 March 2019

This comedy offering dresses up a familiar idea in a new way. The ranch foreman uses red ink on the Chinaman so the other boys will be quarantined while he makes love to the girl. But the young doctor spoils his scheme. The photographs are very good and the cast a pleasing one. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Not highly successful

16 March 2019

A mixture of farce and burlesque in which the two wives decide to join the military company. They do so, but it is discovered they are women and they are glad to get back to wifely duties at home. This has amusing moments, but is not highly successful. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

A bald-headed man may win a wife

16 March 2019

Louis Simon has the lead in this comedy, the point of which is that a bald-headed man may win a wife. The story should be satisfying to these similarly handicapped; others may not find it particularly interesting. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Lightly amusing

16 March 2019

A comedy number featuring Eddie Lyons and Victoria Forde. Eddie plays the young dentist and wreaks a promise that he may marry the girl from the reluctant father in his dental chair. The idea in this is lightly amusing and handled in a way that makes the film a pleasing one. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Quite entertaining

16 March 2019

A "Universal Boy" number. Young Matty visits Ellis Island and assists an immigrant and his wife to get into this country. The views at Ellis Island are interesting and the plot is quite entertaining. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914

Rather slight plot

16 March 2019

A low comedy number of about average appeal. The girl and her father go to the beach for an outing. A female detective and an ignited bomb keep the rather slight plot boiling. The splendid photography does much to retain the interest in this. - The Moving Picture World, October 24, 1914